News the LGA Labour Group

Labour local government sets out its ambitions for ‘Day One’ of Labour government

The Local
Government Association (LGA) Labour Group has set out an ambitious programme
for a future Labour Government to ensure councils are properly funded to
deliver real change for local communities: On Day One. You
can read the publication here.

The authors
outline the damage caused by Tory austerity and set out what is needed to
address the funding gap. Cuts of almost 50 per cent have been made to central
government funding for councils between 2010 and 2018, and Tory-run
Northamptonshire County Council issued a section 114 notice effectively
declaring it was ‘bankrupt’. It also demands new freedoms for councils -
including powers to build new council homes, open new schools, create a
children’s centre in every community and a call for the next Labour government
to invest heavily in early intervention and prevention.

Cllr Nick Forbes,
the leader of the LGA Labour Group, said: “If the next Labour government
wants to deliver immediate and visible change for the many, not the few, then
the fastest and most direct route lies through local government. Communities
across the country are demanding change to fix the housing crisis and support
young people. With sufficient funding and greater freedoms local councils can
generate economic growth, build new homes and strengthen communities.”

The report has
the backing of shadow communities and local government secretary Andrew Gwynne
MP, who in a foreword to the report, writes: “The future of our country
cannot be formulated by politicians in Westminster, but needs to be built in
partnership with local leaders and local people.”

Out on the campaign trail: we want your photos and will
use the best for the LGA Labour Group Annual Report. They must be high
resolution and you must have the permission of everyone in the picture.
Please email to Lewis Addlington-Lee.

Jewish Manifesto for Local Government

The Jewish
Manifesto for Local Government informs councillors and council candidates about
how they can best serve Jewish residents. For those candidates in areas with
fewer Jewish residents there are important policy recommendations for how to
support community cohesion and stand against antisemitism in general.

We are
calling on council candidates to support the #tenlocalcommitments, outlined on
page four and five, over social media using the hashtag. We can send a physical
copy of the manifesto if that would be useful for candidates. Read a
copy of the manifesto.

For any
information on the manifesto please contact the Board of Deputies on 0207 543 5418 or email daniel.elton@bod.org.uk